With A Light Touch

Partners in life and in business Alice Moffett and Tim Hodgson are proud of the way their company, Light Touch Solar & Electrical has grown since they started it in 2011.

Named for its obvious reference to electrical lighting, they also chose the name to reflect the company’s policy to go lightly on the planet. Installing solar power is certainly one step towards doing just that.

According to Tim, the growth of Light Touch has been partly assisted by the second boom in solar power and the growth in popularity and affordability of batteries, all of which is still supported by government rebates.

‘We are the first independent solar installer in the Northern Rivers to be certified to install the Tesla Powerwall battery, a high quality lithium battery,’ says Alice.

‘We had to go through a rigorous auditing process to be allowed to install these high end batteries, and we installed 20 last year.,’ says Tim.

He’s a second generation electrician and Alice has a Diploma in Sustainability. They now employ seven people in the business including an apprentice.

As part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and community, they have set up a Community Solar Fund.

The pair say they are passionate about community owned renewable energy, or CORE, a movement that is growing around the world.

‘We decided to create a fund where $50 from every installation would go into the fund. Once we reach enough money we will install a system for free for a community organisation. Local community-based entities will be invited to apply and we will select based on several criteria,’ says Alice. ‘Then we will start over again.’

Light Touch has a small solar & battery showroom in the Byron Bay industrial estate, where people can go to see the batteries and learn more about the technology, costs and benefits.